Kathmandu Sightseeing

based on 16 reviews
Good to Know
  • Duration 1 Day
  • Trip Grade Easy
  • Destination Nepal

What To Expect

  • Get the wonderful experience of driving inside the Kathmandu Valley
  • Visit the popular Hindu temple i.e. Pashupatinath
  • Uncover the monkey temple i.e. Swayambhunath Stupa
  • Reach one of the beautiful Tibetan Boudha Stupa
  • Explore the Kathmandu Durbar Square

A chaotic, small, and beautiful city Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. The city is also a gateway to the giant Mount Everest and other Himalayas. The busy and small city offers rich culture, tradition, language, architecture, history, food, and so many things. The people of Kathmandu always welcome their guests with big smiles on their faces.  All the visiting sites nearby Kathmandu are world-renowned religious sites, enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The whole day tour covers the different Kathmandu visiting places. They are; Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Boudhanath Stupa.

Kathmandu Sightseeing is especially suitable for family tours, religious tours, and others who are enthusiastic about Nepal's classical sites. It is one-day sightseeing activity in Kathmandu, we can extend the days as per our valued customers' requirements. Because Kathmandu includes lots of tourist destinations.

The Kathmandu city sightseeing tour begins after having breakfast. It starts at around 9 am in the morning. Our tourist guide with a private vehicle picks you up from the hotel where you stayed.

Your sightseeing in Kathmandu begins from Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is located nearby Thamel. This place seems a bit crowded when compared to other Kathmandu sightseeing places. But the carving monuments amaze you very surprisingly. A Taleju Temple, Hanuman Dhoka, and the living goddess Kumari are the main things to see in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

After spending some time there, you will go to Swayambhunath Stupa. You will see the people chanting mantras and touching prayer wheels.

After clicking some snapshots, you will have a drive directly towards Bouddhanath Stupa. It is a Tibetan-influenced monastery. You may find peace and calm in this place. You can see the people in Tibetan dress meditating in front of the great stupa. It is a popular place for Thanka. So, you can buy it if you want. Having lunch on a rooftop in front of the Boudhanath stupa is wonderful.

Finally, you will have a visit to Pashupatinath Temple. It is a Kathmandu main attraction, popular for Hindu pilgrimage. You will enter the place from the eastern side of the temple territory. You will observe the cremation activities nearby the sacred Bagmati River. Almost a 10-minute hike offers the whole Pashupatinath Temple area including jungle, river, monuments, and ghat.

Kathmandu's full-day sightseeing tour is guided by expert tour guides in a private vehicle. We strongly commit to you that we provide a culturally knowledgeable tour guide to make you clear about the Kathmandu sightseeing places. Join Rising Adventure Pvt. Ltd. to get cultural and religious wonders during the sightseeing tour.

Places to visit in Kathmandu;

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the golden pride of Kathmandu Valley. This was the residence of the Royal family. It is situated in the heart of Kathmandu City near the tourist spot Thamel. It is described as an open museum. Most of the buildings, temples, art, and sculptures were made from the ancient to the medieval period dating from the 15th to 18th centuries.

In front of Kathmandu Durbar Square, there is a big sculpture of Hanuman who is the devotee of Lord Ram. It is the key attraction of this place. As a result, it is named Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.

Kumari Ghar is the major attraction of Kathmandu Durbar Square where the living goddess stays. So, it is also known as the House of living goddess. She is worshipped by both Nepalese Hindus and Buddhists. She is so pretty and beautiful. It is believed that she is the incarnation of the goddess Durga.

Other interesting things about this palace territory are Kastamandap, Taleju Temple, Kaal Bhairav, Shiva Parbati Temple, Mahadev Temple, the big bell, the museum, and others. However, most of the buildings are devastated by the earthquake of April 2015. Some of them are already renovated and some are in the renovation process. So, tourists are allowed to visit some of the places only.

The inner part of the Kathmandu Durbar Square contains the old palace area that is divided into different courtyards such as Mul chowk, Nakxal Chowk, and Basantapur Durbar as well as other beautiful art and shrines.

Festivals like Gaijatra, Indrajatra, Machchhindranath Jatra, Dashain, and some other Newari Festivals are used to hold on the ground of Kathmandu Durbar Square. The history behind the construction of this palace is amazing.

Pashupatinath Temple

The Holy Temple, Pashupatinath lies in the eastern part of Kathmandu on the bank of the Bagmati River. It is the greatest Hindu Temple in Nepal. Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple. He is also known as the god of destruction according to the Hindu religion. He is a very powerful god.

While talking about the physical structure of Pashupatinath Temple, it is built in the pagoda style which has four silver doors, a golden roof, and wood carving. The stone sculpture is superb. This temple is surrounded by almost 15 shrines of Lord Shiva known as Shivalaya, 452 temples, 12 phallic shrines meaning jyotirlinga, and some Buddhist deities as well.

Guheswori Temple is also located in this Pashupatinath area. It is the temple of Lord Shiva’s consort. It is also taken as the Shakti Peeth. Foreigners are not allowed to go inside this temple.

There is a cremation area as well in the Pashupatinath territory. The platform is located just above the bank of the Bagmati River. It is a sacred river in accordance with Hinduism as every ritual works happen there.

Pashupatinath Temple is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.’Only the Hindu people are permitted to enter the Pashupatinath temple area from the front entrance gate while others need to go from the entrance of the back side and watch temples from the viewpoint only.

Shivaratri is the Hindu festival which means the night of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated all over Nepal and more importantly at Pashupatinath. On this day, the temple area is crowded with Hindu Pilgrimage. They are not Nepalese only but, Indian as well. The queue of Worshippers is beyond our imagination who come to stand in the line from the mid-night of the previous day because only on this day, Pashupatinath Temple doors do open, and Pilgrimage gets the chance to go inside, worship Lord Shiva by their own hands, and take his blessing of him.

Generally, Sadhu with printed faces and yellow dresses can be found in this Pashupatinath area. But, on the occasion of Shivaratri, a variety of Saints can be seen there even the naked Sadhu who are enjoying by taking drugs. However, they are very friendly and click the photos with visitors with some non-fix charge.

Shrawan is Nepali month. During this period also the doors of Pashupatinath opened and Hindu visitors are allowed to go inside for worshipping the god. Most of the people engage in the Bol-Bom ( a type of holy work) wear yellow dresses and come to Pashupatinath Temple by walking for more than a week even from India.

Swayambhunath Stupa

This stupa is more popular for Swayambhunath Monkey Temple. It is situated on the top of a hill on the northwest side of Kathmandu valley. This site is full of many Buddhist stupas 2000 years old. As a result, it is popular, especially for the Buddhist Pilgrimage.

kathmandu-sightseeing

However, Hindus have also got the attraction to the Swayambhunath Stupa as the temple of Haratimata is situated there. This goddess is considered a Hindu deity who is also known as the goddess of children. Every Saturday, most Hindu parents with their kids come to worship this goddess for taking care of the life of their children.

While talking about the physical structure of Swayambhunath Stupa, its base is surrounded by prayer wheels. The largest image of the Shakyamuni Buddha is located on the pedestal on the western side of the very site.

Other statues, Buddhist shrines, Chaityas, and some Hindu deities are established there from the bottom to the top of the hill. There is a small pond as well. In the middle of it, the water sprays, and a small hole is also there where a visitor used to throw the coins. If the coins reach inside the hole, it is used to say that s/he is lucky.

In order to reach the hill of the Swayambhunath Stupa, there are two access points. One of them is a roadway around the hill and the last one is the stairway. This stair is too long with 365 steps that go through the green forest.

Besides, the top of this site is considered the vantage point for looking at the beautiful views of the Kathmandu valley. It is the place where the ability of peace and harmony can be developed. Besides, this site is the topmost pride of Kathmandu.

Once upon a time, there was a lotus which is bloomed in the middle of the lake and spread across the Kathmandu Valley. Later on, it is named as the Swayambhu. This is a typical legend behind the creation of the Swayambhunath Stupa.

At last, Swayambhunath Stupa is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is full of monkeys. Therefore, the site is also known as the Monkey Temple. Everywhere, the monkeys are spread here and there. They also cheat on the visitors’ food and bags, especially the banana. So, the tourist must be aware of it and not try to tease them and take their things very safely and carefully.

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu. The ancient Bouddhanath Stupa was devastated by the earthquake of 2015, April. The renovation is completed now and this new structure is taken as one of the largest Tibetan stupas in Nepal. It is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site too.

kathmandu sightseeing

The greatest Bouddhanath Stupa is located in the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu Valley. It is surrounded by Tibetan settlements. The site is popular for the Thanka production as well.

Bouddhanath Stupa looks very beautiful in its spherical structure. The site is also taken as the center point of Tibetan culture in Nepal. Most Buddhist visitors especially from Tibet and China are used to staying at the hotel nearby this stupa and engaging in meditation activities.

Bouddhanath Stupa is rich in Buddhist symbolism. They are following in chronological order from bottom to top;

  • Three Steps
  • Mandala
  • Two Plinths
  • Dome
  • Harmika
  • Symbol of Nose
  • Eight Eyes on the four sides of the Stupa
  • Thirteen Steps
  • Lotus
  • Five different colors of prayer flags cover the stupa from top to bottom
  • Umbrella
  • Pinnacle

Each of the very symbols represents different meanings relating to the Buddhist religion. Please, read here for more details.

Royal Museum

Royal Museum is also known as Narayanhiti Palace Museum. It is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu.

It is well known that the Royal family of Nepal used to live in Narayanhiti Palace. After ten years of the Nepalese Citizen War and the nineteen days of people, movements changed the history of Nepal. That war had thrown the Shah Dynasty's reign and established a new history.

After the inauguration on 26 February 2009, this Narayanhiti Palace Museum was opened to all general people including foreign travelers. Now, the Niji Ghar Royal Museum is also open.

A visit to Royal Museum provides knowledge of the living standards of our Late King. The Royal Massacre spot is the main attraction of this Palace. You can observe the place where our Late king Birendra Bir Bikram Shah's family was killed.

Besides, you can explore lots of beautiful places and wonderful things inside this museum. They are;

  • The Golden State Coach
  • Kaski Baithak
  • The Royal Crown
  • Gorkha Baithak
  • Museum Garden
  • Shree Sadan
  • Royal Massacre Spot`

Note: If our valued guests require sightseeing in Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares too, we can manage it within the same day or the next day as per your requirements.

Itinerary
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Kathmandu Sightseeing Itinerary

It is only two days of itineraries including the arrival date. Kathmandu sightseeing places are four in total which are enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Bouddhanath Stupa.

Most of the itineraries of trek and tour activities organized by Rising Adventure include this Kathmandu sightseeing. Please, go through the detailed itinerary below.

  • Maximum Altitude1350 m

Our tourist guide comes to the hotel wherever you have stayed in a private vehicle and picks you up for the sightseeing. It goes continuously from Kathmandu Durbar Square to Swayambhunath Stupa to Pashupatinath Temple and to Bouddhanath Stupa.

In the end, our guide leaves you safely at the hotel.

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Inclusions
Cost Includes
  • Sightseeing by private vehicle
  • Tour guide
  • All the government taxes and service charges

Note: We also can arrange accommodation in Kathmandu as per your request.

Cost Excludes
  • Monuments entrance fee
  • Hotel in Kathmanu
  • Meals
  • All your personal expenses
  • Tips for driver and guide
Things to Know

Sightseeing in Kathmandu Cost

The Kathmandu Sightseeing cost is affected by lots of things. Such as the places you will visit and the number of your visiting sites. Similarly, the Kathmandu sightseeing package can be operated as half-day, full-day, or more days sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Please, go through the following for in-depth details;

Monuments Entrance Fees

Kathmandu sightseeing places are the most affecting factor on the cost of sightseeing in Kathmandu. Please, check the entrance frees of every monument.

Visiting SitesEntrace fees for SAARCEntrance fees for Foreigners
Swayambhunath StupaNPR 50NPR 200
Kathmandu Durbar SquareNPR 150NPR 1000
Pashupatinath TempleNPR 1000NPR 1000
Boudhanath StupaNPR 100NPR 400
Patan Durbar SquareNPR 250NPR 1000
Patan Golden GateNPR 20NPR 50
Bhaktapur Durbar SquareNPR 500USD 15
Changunarayan TempleNPR 100NPR 300

Tourist Guide Cost

NPR 4000 per day is paid to the tour guide for Kathmandu sightseeing. But you have a right whether carrying a guide or not. Because every foreign traveler can enter the monument sites without taking a guide. However, your sightseeing in Kathmandu would be worthful if you hire a guide because s/he can assist you and provide you with the full information about your destined places.

Transportation Cost

Kathmandu sightseeing cost is also affected by the transportation cost. But the vehicle rate is also affected by the number of travelers. More travelers mean less expensive, and fewer travelers may not be cheaper. It means, that if you are the only traveler, you need to pay the whole amount for hiring a private car. On the other hand, if you are more than one, you can share a car and divide the price accordingly.

Normally, 3 people with average weight can share a car. If you are more than 3, you need to hire either jeep, minibus, hiace, or other as per your requirements and the number of travelers.

Besides, the cost of transportation also depends on how many places you are going to visit. Its price can be calculated according to the visiting sites.

Accommodation Cost in Kathmandu

This is another important factor. There are lots of hotels and lodges in Kathmandu ranging from USD 20 to USD 100 or more. So, you can get the accommodation as per your budget.

Food Cost

It is another significant affecting factor. Lots of restaurants with verities of items offered on the menu at different prices. So, you can check and order the food as per your budget. Similarly, lots of hotels where you stay offer breakfast. Therefore, you can search the good restaurants on google and select the items.

Best time to visit Kathmandu

It is well known that Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. Every traveler who comes to Nepal wishes to visit Kathmandu, though, s/he does not have much time to visit other places.

But the question that arouses in the mind of visitors is, which is the best time to visit Kathmandu? Except for the monsoon period, all day of the year is preferable for Kathmandu sightseeing.

To be more specific, post-monsoon from the mid of September is the best season to visit the Kathmandu Valley. Because the atmosphere looks clear and rain washes out all the dust from the sky. The temperature is also warmer during this period.

However, Kathmandu sightseeing is possible all day throughout the year.

Kathmandu Sightseeing FAQs

  • Kathmandu is said to be the city of temples. Indeed Kathmandu is a city of gods, a city of devotees. The origin of Kathmandu valley is as sacred as the lake of its origin, masked into a mythical legend. Not only that the valley hosts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites named Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka, the two most important Buddhist stupas, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath and two popular Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath temple, and Changu Narayan.  
    Not only that the valley is famous for its culture and its people. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Nepal to see the temples, monasteries, and stupas adorn the city’s landscape. Similarly, Kathmandu has Museums that have huge collections of archaeological, historical, and artistic importance and galleries display the artwork of the past and present. 

  • Kathmandu is more than just a temple and culture. The beautiful valley is surrounded by spectacular hills and snow-covered mountains. Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Jamacho, Champa Devi, Chandragiri, and Halchok. From the top of the mountain, you will see the beautiful 360 views of Kathmandu valley, which takes you far from the chaotic crowd. 

  • Kathmandu is the gateway to one of the most magical and visually stunning countries on the planet, and if you’re looking to visit its soaring Himalayas, you will no doubt spend some time in Kathmandu. Compared to other places in Nepal, Kathmandu is not exactly for the kids as there are no interactive museums, play areas are few and far between, and there are almost no green spaces to run free. However, you can do several things along with your kid including shopping and eating a variety of Nepalese cuisine in Thamel, can visit dreams of a garden, can marvel the stupas, watching the monkeys at Swayambhunath, and so on. 

  • While talking about Kathmandu, it will be unfair if we don’t mention the food. There are several multi-ethnic groups each community has its language and more interesting is that they have their types of food. So while visiting Kathmandu, you can taste renowned Newari food, Tibetan dishes, and so on. Among all of these, Dal Bhat is a renowned cuisine to try and is said to be the national food in Kathmandu. Dal is a soup made of lentils or beans, vegetables, etc. while bhat is rice. And another national snack for Kathmandu people is momo. Thus, while visiting Kathmandu try dal bhat and momo once, I am sure you will not regret it. 

  • The top sightseeing places in Kathmandu are Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Thamel, Garden of Dreams Kathmandu, Kapan Monastery, Ason market, are some popular sightseeing places in the Kathmandu. Apart from them, there are still several hidden places that are not in the limelight, some of them are Barun Valley, Chandragiri Hills,  Siddha Gufa, Balthali Village, Gorakhnath Cave, Bhotechaur Tea Garden, and Taudaha Lake ·What is the old name of Kathmandu?
    Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal is the most developed urban city with more than 5 million people living there. Kathmandu comes from Kasthamandap which stood in Durbar Square. During medieval times, the valley was sometimes called Kantipur. The name was named after two words names Kanti and Pur. 

  • The best time to visit Nepal is considered between October and December. During this season the skies remain clear blue and the views are spectacular. Likewise, the weather remains dry until about April, with temperatures varying between regions. Meanwhile, in the month of January and February, the days can be very cold, especially at night, the average temperature reaches around 6°C in Namche Bazaar.

  • Speaking of total days only three days is enough time to enjoy a city tour of Kathmandu's famous sights. You will have plenty of time to see places in Kathmandu, as well as experience the Kathmandu valley and its charming places. It is best to plan everything before coming to Kathmandu. If you manage your time wisely, you could even squeeze both city tours and day trips into just two days.

  • As we said before Kathmandu offers different ethnic cultures. The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress.  Thus, we recommend that you respect this, by not wearing revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. However, shorts are acceptable, but they should reach just above the knee and be modest. 

  • During winter in Kathmandu, there are several places where you can experience snow as well. Places like Chandragiri, and Pulchowki experience snow. However, there is no snowfall in the lower part of Kathmandu. 

  • Yes! Everest is visible from the valley. Not only Everest you will see other prominent mountains from some points in Kathmandu valley. During spring and autumn, if the weather is clear then you will clearly see Everest’s nearby viewpoints. 

  • This is one of the most asked questions which one is better? Where should I go? It all depends upon you. Pokhara is one of the most famous tourist destinations for its mesmerizing paragliding site and without a doubt, makes for one of the best sites to enjoy the thrilling activity of paragliding. Similarly, it is also popular for boating, bungee jumping, rafting, zip line, and so on.  
    While on the other hand, Kathmandu is home to historical palaces and temples. If you want to experience paragliding then visit Pokhara. If you want to know more about Nepal’s history then visit Kathmandu. 

  • During your visit to Nepal, there are several things that you can make your own. In the Nepali market, you can purchase statues, masks, Rice Paper items, Traditional Jewelry, Hemp Bags, Thangka Paintings, Pashmina, Khukuri, Tea, Handicrafts, Singing Bowls, etc. 

  • During your days in Kathmandu, you can do a plethora of activities. Such as day trips, bus tours, hiking tours, private sightseeing tours, private day trips, sacred and religious sites, private day trips and so many things.

  • With its diverse ethnicity and traditional beliefs, Kathmandu has numerous cultural practices that may appear unusual to a person on their first visit to the country. Before visiting the place it is better to know about the variety of cultural aspects of the country. Here is a list of things that you should not do while visiting Kathmandu.

    • While entering any monastery or temple, please remembers to remove your shoes. 
    • Take photographs only after permission.
    • Kissing and hugging with opposite gender people is strictly prohibited and rarely seen. 
    • While giving something to Nepalese people use the right hand only. 
    • While traveling dress appropriately, women should especially avoid dressing in skimpy outfits.
    • Don’t use leather articles in most religious places. 
    • While walking around the temple or stupa walk clockwise.
    • Don’t smoke publicly.  

     

  • If you are curious about what can you do in one day while straying at Kathmandu? Don’t worry we have organized a short itinerary that will come in handy:

    • Wake up and have breakfast prepared by the hotel where you are staying. 
    • Following breakfast, take time and visit the temple in the morning. 
    • In the daytime, you can observe any historical place like Durbar Square after having your lunch. 
    • After that spend time in the Garden of Dreams.
    • Then have taste Nepali thakali food at dinner time. 
    • At the night you can walk around the street of Thamel. 
       
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Price Per PersonUS$75US$75(Price varies by group size)
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Customer Reviews
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  • R

    Great tour!

    Roghubir, Amit, & Susmita, IndiaTrip Date: February 24, 2023

    Our guide Bhim bahadur was very friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks to him I got to witness the unreached place of Kathmandu. He took us to four UNESCO sites, spending a relaxed amount of time at each, giving us time to explore on our own after he went through the history and explained the cultural significance of each site.

    Highly recommended.

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